Armbar Angle Poll

I see a lot of contridiction on what angle is best for an Armbar. By angle I am refering to the Attacker's body position relative to the Defender's shoulders. Please post reasons if you have a good explanation.

A. with B you can't keep them down as easy. and the rolling escape is easier. might even be better to go with a C variation and go 45 deg towards the legs. then you can grab their pantsleg so they don't roll out.

That said, of the two you posted, I prefer Exhibit A. But more often than that, I'll angle towards the legs, and even hold their knee -- the option C that I added.

Exhibit B makes the hitch hiker escape easier, but you can counter that by controlling the wrist and turning the thumb back towards their hips. If you're aware of the risk of the hitch hiker escape, there are some grip breaks (as in breaking their armbar defenses) that involve taking the arm up towards their heads.

I guess it does depend, but I prefer angling towards the legs. Sure, it rarely ends up like that, but it's what I prefer.
However, I find it easier to break someone's grip if I first angle upwards, and then angle down for the finish.

Exhibit B makes the hitch hiker escape easier, but you can counter that by controlling the wrist and turning the thumb back towards their hips. If you're aware of the risk of the hitch hiker escape, there are some grip breaks (as in breaking their armbar defenses) that involve taking the arm up towards their heads.

I've been a B guy for some time because I have no problem preventing the hitch hiker escape and there are some transitions I favor from the B position. B and C are good for breaking grips. If he weighs 50lbs. or more than I do, I will quickly return to A after his grip breaks to prevent his escape or rollout attempts.

Lately though I've been using C because of the leg attack options that are available as a backup from C.

That said, of those two I prefer to Exhibit A. But often often than that, I'll angle towards the legs, and even hold their knee.

Exhibit B makes the hitch hiker escape easier, but you can counter that by controlling the wrist and turning the thumb back towards their hips. If you're aware of the risk of the hitch hiker escape, there are some grip breaks (as in breaking their armbar defenses) that involve taking the arm up towards their heads.

So it depends.

My favorite grip break comes from B, but I go back to A as part of the movement.

So, like everyone else says, it depends.

"No. Listen to me because I know what I'm talking about here." -- Hannibal